Yesterday I met this guy ‘Anantharaman’ who is ‘Head of Technology’ at  “Hey Math!” during  TiECON Chennai 2009 committee meeting.

After our introduction, we started exchanging details (like ‘Why did I start HomePlanGuru.com?’, ‘How did he join Hey Math!”, “How he is heading CII Young Indians Media Chapter”, etc) about each other.

During our conversation, he offered to help me in few areas like introducing me to some journalist and getting some visual communication students to capture my venture ideas, etc.

While leaving, he told me, “Viru, I’ll do these things next week.  If I don’t do it, call me and ‘Demand’ me the things I promised to do”.

I was astonished by his character, commitment and care for others.  How many of us can tell to a “30 minute old friend”  – “Demand my help, if I don’t do it”?

Many people in Business & Corporate world expect their team members to be “aggressive”. I feel that most of them mean this only from a positive angle without understanding the meaning of ‘aggressive’.

But, as far as I understand, “aggressive” means “Do something great by hurting others”. For example, a health drink company does “an aggressive marketing” of their product by talking cheap about their competitor’s product. I’m sure that this company’s sales will improve. But the way in which it is done – will not be appreciated by ‘respectable wise people’.

Some are ’submissive’ – meaning they will not highlight themselves in front of others. Sometimes others may takeaway the credit from these submissive persons. These people will be shut by ‘aggressive’ persons. Submissive persons don’t want to hurt anyone at anytime.

Very few are ‘assertive’ – meaning they will talk when there is a need, they will get credit for their work and give credit for others’ work, they will be kind towards ’submissive person’ and assertive towards ‘aggressive person’. They will achieve what they want without hurting anyone. They also understand that when they provide a honest feedback to others, they will be hurt temporarily, but in the long run they will feel good about the feedback.

What do you want to call yourself – “Aggressive” or “Submissive” or “Assertive”?

If at all you are wondering who is our worst enemy, I would say “Anger”.

I’m making this statement after experiencing several things in my life where I showed anger and realized that it is my “worst enemy”.

No one will listen to you if you show your contempt to them. The only way to make things work is to be polite and gentle.

When you get angry, don’t react immediately. Start counting from 1 to 10 and then react after this count. There is a possibility of controlling your anger.

Control your anger (in both personal life and official life) and see how you improve.

If you find any change in your life, please let me know (or write a comment here).

All the best!